Plantar Fibroma
Made up of fibrous tissue that coalesces into a knot that grows within the plantar fascia, a plantar fibroma is a benign lesion that can form as a single mass or multiple masses. Plantar fibromas can be painless or painful when shoes rub against the area, and can only be resolved with treatment.
A podiatrist can easily diagnose this problem and offer several treatment options, but nonsurgical treatment is highly recommended. Options include accommodative padding that offloads the mass and eliminates pressure and irritation, cortisone injection, topical medication to shrink the mass, or – as an absolute last resort – surgical excision. Due to the higher-than-normal rate of recurrence of the mass and the potential risks and side effects, surgery should be avoided if possible.
For more information, visit the plantar fibroma pages at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons website.
